The value of Cadherin 17 & CDX2 expression as immunohistochemical markers in colorectal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

olorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. In Egypt, it is the seventh commonest cancer representing 3.47% of male cancers and 3% of female cancers. Although the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is straight forward in primary site, yet it may represent a diagnostic problem as in metastatic tumour of unknown primary origin. Pathologists are often called upon to suggest a site of origin in patients with metastasis of an unapparent primary tumour site. This is because some specific tumour types may respond well to targeted molecular therapies. Most tumours of unknown primary site are evaluated with immunohistochemical analysis in combination with morphologic assessment and correlation with clinical data. Therefore, establishment of reliable diagnostic markers that confirm or rule out colorectal origin are mandatory especially in adenocarcinomas of unknown primary site which is one of the most clinical problems. The aim of our work is to study the expression of Cadherin 17 & CDX2 in colorectal carcinoma to evaluate their diagnostic roles when metastatic colorectal carcinoma is suspected in cancer of unknown primary site.